Pakistani actor Bushra Ansari has strongly criticized veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar for his comments targeting Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. During a conversation while travelling abroad, Bushra expressed her displeasure, urging Javed to refrain from commenting on the issue.
Taking a dig at Javed without directly naming him, she said, “Humare writer so-called, unko toh bahana hi chahiye tha. Actually unko toh makaan kiraaye pe nahi milta tha Bombay mein. Apni existence k liye jitni chahe woh (gestures speaking) karsakte hai… Pata nahi kya kya bol rahe hai aap. Koi haya kare. Marne mein aapke do ghanta reh gaye hai, upar se aap itni fizool baatein karrahe hai.”
Comparing him to other actors who have remained silent on the matter, she added, “Itna bhi kya koi dare, itna laalach kare. Chalo ji chup karjaaye aap. Naseeruddin Shah bhi toh hai, woh chup baithe hai na? Aur bhi toh chup baithe hai na? Jiske dil mein jo hai woh rakkha rahe. Yeh toh pata nahi kya keh rahe hai.”
While voicing her disagreement with Javed’s stance, Bushra also mentioned that she encountered Indian women during her trip who spoke kindly to her. She clarified that the general public in India isn’t at fault and said they are being “provoked.”
Javed Akhtar had earlier demanded stern action from the Indian government over Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the Pahalgam attack. Speaking at the Glorious Maharashtra Festival, he said, as quoted by ANI, “This has happened not just once but several times. I request that the Central Government take immediate steps. A few crackers on the border will not work. Take a solid step now. Do something so that the mad Army chief there (Pakistan), no sensible person can make a speech like he does.”
He further stated, “He says that Hindus and Muslims are different communities. He does not even care that there are Hindus in his country, too. So, do they have no respect? What kind of man is he? They should get a befitting reply so that they remember. They will not pay heed to anything less. I don’t know much about politics. But I do know that it is time for ‘aar ya paar.'”
The exchange between Bushra and Javed comes at a time of high tension between India and Pakistan following the terror strike, which reignited debates on cross-border terrorism and diplomatic responses.
